A GOOLE woman who claimed more than £5,500 in benefits that she was not entitled to will have to repay the cash.

Lisa Marie Pollard, of Malvern Road, appeared at York Magistrates’ Court after a joint investigation by East Riding of Yorkshire Council and the DWP.

Pollard, 25, admitted not telling the council and the DWP that she was living with her partner, affecting her entitlement to housing benefit, council tax benefit and income support.

Andy Hardy, fraud investigation manager at the council, said: “It is the public who are the victims of benefit fraud and those who choose to commit benefit fraud should be aware that it is only a matter of time before they are brought before the courts.”

Between August, 2011, and May, 2012, she was paid £5,863.21 she was not entitled to, and the courts have now ordered her to repay the cash as well as £85 towards costs.

Pollard was also handed a 12 month conditional discharge.